Faux Vows, True Desires

Owen gazed down at the object of his affection, unable to resist the urge to press his lips against her rosy ones. He had missed her terribly.

Cecilia didn't push him away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, tiptoeing to fervently reciprocate his kiss. The waitress quickly ducked into the restroom. Better to give them privacy than to face an awkward moment later.

Cecilia's rare enthusiasm sent Owen over the moon, his kisses becoming more insistent, until she had to gently push him away, though he still looked like a man yearning for more. Cecilia touched her lips, then teasingly poked his chest, "Are you ever going to get enough, or are you addicted now?"

Owen caught her finger, eyes brimming with passion, "You hardly ever respond with such fire. Can you blame me for getting hooked? Cecilia, when I was away on business, every spare moment was spent thinking of you, which is why I never allowed myself to stop, always working late into the night."

"But at night, in my dreams, there you were, making me all sorts of delicious food, being so gentle with me, showering me with gifts, kissing me... and well, let's just say we did more than just kiss in those dreams."

In his dreams, he had made love to her a million times over.

Cecilia was speechless.

"I was just about to order some takeout, want me to add something for you?"

Owen gave her a pitiful look, "Cecilia, I came straight to you, haven't even been home yet. Look at me, all travel-worn, tired and hungry. Can't you treat me to a decent meal?"

Cecilia softened, "Alright, let's go to the Pinehurst Hotel. Freshen up, change, then we can eat."

Owen's face lit up instantly. But Cecilia wasn't done with him yet, her finger prodding his chest once more, this time in a scolding manner, "Look at the state of you! Do you think you're still a spring chicken, able to work nonstop without a break? What's more important than your health?"

"Starve, see if I care! Who told you to skip meals? Nothing is more important than eating. You need food to keep going."

take offense to the scolding; in fact, he was grinning ear to ear, so much so that Cecilia lost her irritation. He grabbed her hand again, pulling her close, “I've been rushing, working hard to cut my trip short, just to see you sooner. Cecilia, a single day apart feels like an eternity. It's been a week-imagine how

you

you only called once to ask where I was, what I was up to."

were busy, so I didn't want to bother you. You didn't even tell me you were going away; I didn't get the chance to see you off." She was being considerate. She

trip was so sudden, I had to

had done more than just see Ruby off-he'd lingered, purchased expensive gifts for her to take to her family abroad. He was always the one driving her to the airport, picking her up upon her return. Maybe it was the frequency of their partings that made him less afraid of saying goodbye to Ruby- only a slight sense of

and she are history. From now on, you're mine, Cecilia's. Unless I say otherwise, you're

swiftly, "With you in my life, no other woman can catch my eye. You are irreplaceable." Even Ruby had been expelled from

with Ruby were wasted. Ruby's regret meant nothing now. He had moved on, never to return to Ruby's

and famished after your trip." Cecilia offered

He had arranged for his bodyguard to have the car ready for his return, so he could see Cecilia as

they left than Lucinda and Darlene arrived at the now-empty

quiet at lunchtime. Cecilia and the waitress should be here. And where are the bodyguards?" Darlene asked, concern evident in her

didn't happen,

happened, the neighbors would have told me as soon as I

"Little sis, little sis!"

I'm in the

from the restroom

Cecilia

Lucinda inquired with a hint